reformatting problem

Hi,....... Here's my problem. I'm trying to do something that I know nothing about. .... so anyway,.... I have this laptop that has a virus that makes my pc "Shut down and reboot" after being on line for a minute or so. Very cleverly it shuts down the pc before the anti-virus software is able to deal with the virus. As a result I am forced to have to reformatt the hard drive.
.... Unfortunately the OS software will not allow me to erase the hard drive for a fresh installation. As a result someone has informed me that I need to use a DOS boot disk to get access to being able to erase the hard drive. I have created a boot disk via "My Computer" in WinXP Pro, which is the OS I'm running. While booting up with the disk in the A drive I get an A prompt on the screen and have no clue as to what to type or do next in order to accompish what I'm trying to do. Can anyone help me out here? I really need step by step instructions on how to do this, as I am totally ignorant about it. It would be greatly appreciated.
Here's some specs on my system:

OS - WinXP Pro version 2002 SP1
pc - Compaq Armada E500 laptop
- Pentium 3 800 MHz
RAM = 128

 

Wouldn't it be easier to fix the problem?

We can help you!

Why can't you format, by the way?

 

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407

Also:

Put this into start, run:

shutdown -a

Now, whenever you get that shutdown countdown, click start, run and execute the command. It will cancel the shutdown.

If the above thread doesnt help, Stinger is a great tool!

http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4063

 

Can I fix the problem via the 'Recovery Console' ? ...and if so, how do I do that?

 

No, probably not. The thing to keep in mind is that the worm probably will not run in Safe Mode (I can only think of one worm that can).

So if you could get Stinger and boot to Safe Mode, you would be fine to run it without interruption, too.

 

Thanks a bunch.
I will work with the info. you've given me and see if I can resolve this.

 

You bet. Best of luck to ya.

I know its annoying, but it is fixable

 

Hey Adrynalyne,
... Just wanted to say thanks again and give you an update. I ran all the programs in that instructions link and it was the 'Stinger' program that nailed the two viruses that were causing my problem. I'm very grateful for your help.

Just for my information,...do you folks work with Mac tech problems too?

 

You can always run it by us, but I would say that we are heavily PC oriented.

I meant to mention last night, make sure you get Windows Updates, and turn on a firewall, even if its the one in XP to stop reinfection.

 

Yes,..... I am running the 'Sygate Personal Firewall' program and have gotten the updates. The way I got those two viruses was my own fault. I went on line without any antivirus or firewall running. Stupid I know, ... but I'll never make that mistake again.
I was trying to install Norton System Works 2004 on the lap top and my CD rom was reading it as a "blank disk",..(an old laptop), so I was attempting to go on line to download the update for the OS,.. thinking that I might update the drivers for the D drive. It was only after the fact that it occurred to me to go and download a free anti-virus program off the web with my desk top pc and install it on the lap top. That "Avast Antivirus" program seems to be a good one, so that's the one I'm using now. I put the NSW program on the desktop because I never did resolve the D drive problem with the Norton disk.
Hope I'm not boring you.

 

Glad its all taken care of